Alva Review-Courier -

SEARCY – The Harding softball team split a Great American Conference doubleheader with Arkansas Tech Tuesday. The Lady Bisons won the first game 8-5 but dropped the second game 6-0.

Arkansas Tech won the series 3-1 after taking the doubleheader in Russellville, Arkansas on March 26.

Harding moves to 27-17 overall and 19-13 in the GAC.

Arkansas Tech moves to 29-13 overall and 23-7 in the GAC.

Game One Key Innings (Harding 8, Arkansas Tech 5)

- Harding broke the scoreless tie in the second when Mary Mills Lochala walked with the bases loaded.

- The Lady Bisons took a 6-0 lead in the third scoring five runs on five hits. Madison Leggett highlighted the inning with a three-run double.

- Arkansas Tech cut the lead to three scoring three runs on three hits in the fifth. Paty Loredo hit a two-run home run to left field in the inning.

- Harding got another run in the fifth when Lindsey Duncan singled in Lauren Bazan.

- The Golden Suns scored two more runs in the sixth to cut the Harding lead to 7-5.

- Harding added its final run in the sixth when Kiley Persons scored on a wild pitch.

Game One Key Statistics

- Harding had 10 hits with Lindsey Duncan going 3-for-3. Kyndal Pirtle also had two hits in the game.

- Arkansas Tech had nine hits with Tymber Riley going 3-for-3.

- Jenna Hipp got the win for Harding to improve to 12-5. She threw five innings gave up three earned runs and struck out four.

- Emma Dwyer picked up the save in two innings of work. It was her 11th of the season which leads all of NCAA Division II.

- Megan Goodnight received her first loss of the season and falls to 10-1 for Arkansas Tech.

Game Two Key Innings (Arkansas Tech 6, Harding 0)

- Arkansas Tech got things going in the fourth scoring a run on three hits and a Harding error.

- The Golden Suns tacked on four more runs in the fifth off three hits and two Harding errors.

- Arkansas Tech scored its final run of the game in the seventh when Paty Loredo singled in Ashton Sangster.

Game Two Key Statistics

- Arkansas Tech had 10 hits in the game led by Paty Loredo who went 3-for-4.

- Harding had five hits led by Kyndal Pirtle who had two.

- Peyton Mills stole two bases in the game. Her second stolen bases was 100th in her career. She is only the second Harding player to steal over 100 bases in their career. Courtney Derrick holds the Harding record with 109.

- Kristen Dempsey got the win for Harding to improve to 9-3. She threw five innings and had three strikeouts.

- Pyper James received the loss for Harding and falls to 7-7.

Next Up

- Harding will host Ouachita Baptist this weekend in a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m.